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The Air France KLM Visa Signature is the strongest fit for eligible U.S. travelers who fly Air France, KLM or other SkyTeam airlines, want Flying Blue miles and XP, and can use enough of its benefits to justify an $89 annual fee. Delta Gold or United Explorer may be a better match when your travel and useful perks are concentrated on those airlines. Compare the card’s rules against your routes and spending—not just the largest welcome offer.
This comparison covers U.S. consumer cards as shown on official airline and issuer pages checked October 3, 2026. Offers and terms can change; confirm the live application disclosures for eligibility, APR, fees and current offer details.
How the three cards compare
| Card | Annual fee shown | Key earning rates shown | Notable benefits shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France KLM Visa Signature | $89 | 3 Flying Blue miles per dollar on eligible Air France, KLM and SkyTeam purchases and eligible dining; 1.5 miles per dollar on other purchases | Up to 160 XP annually subject to qualifying-purchase tiers; 5,000 anniversary miles after at least $50 in purchases; no foreign transaction fees* |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express | $0 introductory annual fee in year one, then $150 | 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, restaurants and U.S. supermarkets | First checked bag free on domestic and international Delta flights; second checked bag free on Delta domestic flights; 15% savings on eligible Delta award travel through Delta.com or Fly Delta |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express | $350 | 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and eligible hotel purchases | 15% savings on eligible Delta award travel; annual companion certificate after renewal |
| United Explorer | $0 introductory annual fee in year one, then $150 | 9 total miles per dollar on eligible United flights, comprising 6 miles on the primary cardmember’s fare as a MileagePlus member and 3 on the card purchase; 2 miles per dollar on dining and hotel stays booked directly; 1 mile per dollar elsewhere | Two United Club one-time passes each year; first standard checked bag free for the primary cardmember and one companion on eligible United-operated flights; cardmember award pricing and Star Alliance redemptions |
Sources: KLM/Air France KLM, Delta and Chase, checked October 3, 2026. Rates and benefits are subject to each issuer’s eligibility rules and full terms.
Is the Air France KLM Visa worth it?
It rewards a particular kind of traveler
The Visa’s standout combination is Flying Blue earning on eligible Air France, KLM and SkyTeam purchases, dining rewards, and XP toward Flying Blue status. KLM says Flying Blue miles can be redeemed across SkyTeam’s network of 1,000+ destinations (KLM, accessed 2026). That network can be useful if its airlines serve the routes you actually take; a broad network alone does not guarantee a suitable award seat or a particular redemption value.
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The card page lists up to 160 XP annually, subject to qualifying-purchase tiers. XP is not the same as redeemable miles, and the page’s purchase conditions matter: do not treat the maximum as an automatic annual allotment. It also lists 5,000 anniversary miles after at least $50 in purchases. Factor that benefit in only if you expect to meet the requirement and can use Flying Blue miles.
Do not confuse card perks with earned status
The KLM page describes Flying Blue Silver benefits including 6 miles per dollar, priority check-in, baggage drop-off and boarding, some free seat options 24 hours before departure, free standard-seat selection, and one extra checked-bag item on SkyTeam flights. These are status benefits, not a promise that every cardholder receives Silver simply by holding the card. The card’s XP earning is conditional on qualifying purchase tiers.
Rank #2
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Check the spending categories you can actually use
The listed rates are 3 miles per dollar on eligible Air France, KLM and SkyTeam purchases and eligible dining, then 1.5 miles per dollar on other purchases. The page also advertises 3 miles per dollar on rent payments through Bilt, up to $50,000 annually; verify that promotion’s current conditions before relying on it. The KLM page states “No foreign transaction fees*”; review the linked card disclosures for the asterisk’s applicable terms.
How the Delta cards compare
Delta Gold: practical for Delta-heavy flyers
Delta Gold’s listed first-year annual-fee waiver followed by a $150 fee may make it worth considering if you regularly check bags on Delta flights or redeem through Delta’s own channels. The first checked bag benefit applies on domestic and international Delta flights; the second free checked bag is listed for Delta domestic flights. Its award discount is 15% on eligible Delta award travel booked through Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. It excludes partner-operated flights and taxes and fees, so it is not a blanket discount on every SkyTeam redemption.
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Delta Platinum: consider only if its added features earn their keep
The Delta Platinum page lists a $350 annual fee, 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and eligible hotel purchases, the 15% award discount, and an annual companion certificate after renewal. Its higher fee makes sense only if your travel plans let you use the certificate and other listed features enough to offset the cost. Check the certificate’s terms before assigning it a dollar value.
Rank #4
How the United Explorer compares
United Explorer may suit travelers who regularly fly United and can use its airline-specific bag benefit, award pricing and lounge passes. Chase lists two United Club one-time passes each year. Its first-standard-checked-bag benefit is for the primary cardmember and one companion on eligible United-operated flights; it is not a free-bag benefit on any airline.
The checked-bag benefit generally requires the primary cardmember’s MileagePlus number on the reservation and that tickets be purchased from United with the card. Chase says the purchase condition is waived for flights completed within 90 days after opening. Confirm the full terms for the itinerary before counting on the bag savings.
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Chase lists an offer of up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities, a $0 introductory annual fee in year one and $150 thereafter. The page’s 9 total miles per dollar on eligible United flights combines miles earned as a MileagePlus member on the primary cardmember’s fare with miles from paying with the card; it is not a flat card-purchase rate on every travel expense.
Which card should you choose?
- Start with your actual routes. If Air France, KLM or other SkyTeam flights are regular parts of your travel, Flying Blue miles and XP may be relevant. Delta’s bag and award benefits are tied to Delta’s rules and booking channels. United Explorer benefits are governed by United’s operating and purchase conditions.
- Match the fee to benefits you will use. Estimate the value of bags, award savings, anniversary miles, XP, a companion certificate or lounge passes based on your real trips. Do not count a benefit at face value if you are unlikely to use it.
- Compare earning categories with your budget. The Air France KLM Visa lists 3 miles per dollar on eligible airline/SkyTeam and dining purchases, and 1.5 elsewhere. Delta Gold lists 2 miles per dollar in its stated categories. United Explorer lists 2 on dining and direct hotel stays, 1 on other purchases, plus a separate United-flight earning structure.
- Think about redemption, not headline miles. These cards earn distinct program currencies. The official pages reviewed do not establish a universal exchange value between Flying Blue miles, Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus miles. Choose the program whose routes and redemption options fit your likely travel.
- Review current terms before applying. Confirm the live offer, eligibility, annual fee, APR, foreign transaction fee, and conditions attached to every benefit with the issuer.
Official product pages: Air France KLM Visa, Delta SkyMiles personal cards, United Explorer and Chase United card overview.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
